Showing posts with label Inspirational Women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspirational Women. Show all posts

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Roberta Style Lee Inspirational Women Series Podcast Ep004 - Interview with Emma Heathcote-James





I was so excited to get some time with Emma Heathcote-James and interview her on my podcast. She's a super busy, award-winning entrepreneur (and female force of nature) - so getting an hour in with her was no joke!  This woman means BUSINESS! 

Emma joins me on the Inspirational Women Series and talks about her fantastic journey from creating soap on the kitchen worktop to wholesale distribution and winning a string of awards. 
 
We talk about her challenges, what drives her and how she copes with living her life at 100 miles an hour. Emma reveals what keeps her happy, healthy, confident and sane - she also shares lots of great tips on how to compete as a small independent brand against the likes of large businesses such as Procter and Gamble.










This interview was very inspiring for me. There is something very motivating about speaking to someone with as much fire and gusto as Emma. She may be busy but she also knows how important it is to take proper care of herself, why that is critical for success and why good health is wealth.  

I applaud her for everything she does and all she has achieved. What a women! 

Her company, The Little Soap Company produces natural, chemical free soap for humans and pets. They have a range of interesting products worth checking out if you are looking for some ethical, sustainable Christmas gifts this year... I haven't done a review of the soaps yet, but I am certain they will be good quality.

Well, that's nearly it from me. As always I would love to hear your thoughts - just hit reply to this email to provide me with any feedback. Please also take the time to ❤️ the track on Soundcloud if you like it. After the official release, the interview will be on YouTube too which I would love for you to share! 

Stay fab.

Roberta x 


You can find the all of the podcast interviews on iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube 





You can find out more about Roberta Style Lee over on the website at www.robertastylelee.co.uk 

Monday, 17 October 2016

Get Ready To Be Inspired! The Inspirational Women Series Podcast is LIVE!! 💕


The Inspirational Women (Audio) Series is one of the most exciting projects I have worked on yet - and I am delighted to be able to share it with the world today (Monday 17th October). The series premiered at the weekend to subscribers of the newsletter and to those who have signed up for the private members club - and I have received great feedback so far.

So now it's over to you. Have a listen let me know what you think.
Episode 001 | The Inspirational Women Series An Interview with Anne Threlfall from Elkie & Ark 




I feel incredibly honoured to kick off my podcast launch with the amazingly talented Anne Threlfall. She is the founder of a new ethical fair trade luxury linen company Elkie & Ark, a wife, a mum, a doer, an inspirer, a speaker and a writer. Anne has been published in the Huffington Post, Collective Hub, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines and Emap publications.  She has a masters in applied finance and a bachelor of science (specialising in environmental science) - so she's one smart cookie - and on top of all of that she's beautiful, funny, has a massive heart and cares about giving back.

I hope you enjoy the interview and hearing Anne's story as much as I did.

Stay fab!

Roberta x



You can see more over on the website at www.robertastylelee.co.uk 


Thursday, 18 August 2016

Interview with inspirational founder of HER magazine Nineveh Madsen




I have been fortunate enough to meet many inspiring women on my own personal journey whilst evolving and growing my own business. This month’s #inspirationalwoman AND #empoweredwoman kudos goes to Nineveh Madsen the founder of HER magazine. She is gorgeous, talented, has passion and plenty of sass  - and she is unapologetic about being a strong woman with ideas. She exudes a sense of purpose and confidence which is infectious.  Just to warn you - she is smashing it right now - be prepared for a bucket load of awesomeness, insane amounts of classiness and an abundance of beautifulness. Nineveh has arrived with HER magazine and HER crew of amazing women mean business.

You can find out a little bit more about HER magazine and Nineveh by watching this trailer.




The interview 
Me: Thanks for agreeing to be one of my inspirational women interviewed in my new series - so let's kick things off - tell me (and my readers) a little bit more about yourself and your business?

N: I moved around a lot growing up, so I never really had the chance to create close friendships. I had a tough time bouncing around from school to school, and wasn’t exactly the most popular girl. I was the awkward chick, who was teased for being different.

Me: I find that difficult to imagine you exude such confidence now - but behind every successful woman there is always an inspiring story - that I do know. Thank you for letting me interview you. So, tell me more about your journey.

N: I spent a decade working as a journalist for local television stations in Arizona (KYMA, NBC) and Utah (KSTU, FOX). There was a period during my career when I experienced immense anxiety. I felt the pressure of having to perform on a daily basis, and the overbearing feeling of having to emanate perfection. I know it sounds silly to some, but there were so many times I felt incredibly disempowered as a woman in media. I decided in almost an instant that I had to create the change I desired to see in media, instead of wondering why it was the way it was. 

Me: That’s interesting as I imagine a lot of us don’t realise how suffocating working in the media really is.

N: So in 2015 I fired my bosses and set out to launch HER - a digital publication.

Me: Amazing stuff - so when was the official launch? 

N: The official live launch of our website www.hermag.co was August 9th and our monthly digital magazine will debut in the APP store this Fall! I am so excited to finally make this available for women in iTunes and GooglePlay. 

Me: This is so exciting tell me more about what HER magazine is about.

N: Our mission is to UNMAKE TRADITION. I will leave that up for our readers to interpret, but the magazine is about providing a platform for women in business. I don't think we have enough media platforms dedicated to women.

Me: This sounds great - I will be reading the magazine for sure. You seem very ambitious how do you do stay in control, life must get hectic?

N: I need to be better at this. I think we tell ourselves - especially as entrepreneurs that we will find the time to get balanced. My quiet time is during workouts every morning. Lifting weights helps me recharge my batteries. Squeezing in monthly or bi-monthly massages keeps me sane. So does meditation! 

When I get overwhelmed which I think is common these days, I take a step back and take inventory of my blessings and make sure to practice gratitude.
Me: That’s so true - what are your go to activities that make you look good, feel good and feel like you can live a great life? 

N: Lifting weights. I love to push my body. The heavier I can go is a testament to my mental strength and when you're an entrepreneur, you need a lot of inner grit to be able to push through the challenges you face as you build your business. 





I love SPA DAYS ...really if I could, I'd get them once a month. I also absolutely love hiking. There's something calming about nature. I believe success begins with how you take care of yourself. A lot of people have that reversed. They forget to take care of their body and mind first.

Me: And finally what are your top 3 tips for women struggling to do it all, or who are facing issues with their confidence, or even looking to take their confidence to the next level? 

N: I think there's a big difference between doing it all and having it all. Do you really want to DO IT ALL? I don't. You shouldn't either. As women, I think we pressure ourselves to do it all. 

I know that many women also struggle with confidence. One of my mentors told me something that really stuck with me. She said, "confidence comes from competence." Just know that confidence will come with time. 

I know that many women also have self-esteem issues (I've been there) ...this comes down to one thing. LOVING YOURSELF. 

Also, I'd tell them to surround themselves with people who LOVE THEMSELVES. It has a way of rubbing off. And always remember that your thoughts are powerful. Your thoughts become things and those things shape your life. 

Me: That's a great message and one that I like to emphasise to the women I work with. Success starts with taking care of yourself and believing in your own thoughts and actions. I've made an awful lot of mistakes on my journey but it's also given me more confidence because I have 'lived through it'. Indeed having women like you in my circle helps me stay motivated and keep pushing forward. Thank you so much for your time - I know you are busy with HER mag and million other things, so I really appreciate you taking time our to be part of the #inspirationalwomen series.


And that concludes the awesome interview with the insanely motivated and effortlessly confident Nineveh. Now you’ve learnt more about her, head on over to the www.hermag.co and check it out. 


DON'T MISS OUT ON FUTURE INTERVIEWS - SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER HERE: 

http://www.robertastylelee.co.uk/#!subscribe-to-the-newsletter/umwhr


You can find out more about confidence coaching and personal styling over on the website at www.robertastylelee.co.uk. I also review products and services that aim to help women look good, feel good, or live great - you can see these reviews on the blog. 






Monday, 1 August 2016

Why conscious fashion and confidence go hand in hand





What does an industry fashion exhibition at the Kensington Olympia and Roberta Style Lee have in common? Keep reading and you'll find out. 

I attended the Pure London show on Sunday the 24th and Monday 25th of July 2016 in support of the co-founder Haseena Latheef on the ethical clothing brand, DFYnorm stand. 

You may now be wondering what the heck Lifestyle Coaching and a fashion event has in common, well if I didn't have personal styling as an additional confidence boosting add-on service to my coaching, it may seem a bit unusual. But I do offer that as a service. Looking good on the outside in addition to feeling good about yourself on the inside is just as important - I am an advocate of taking care of yourself from the inside-out. This event was also about supporting the new partnership I have formed with DFYnorm. 


What's so great about DFYnorm? 


The brand itself is headed up by the co-founder Haseena Latheef who is a passionate speaker and advocate for the powerful women. My brand is about empowering women and so is hers. 

DFYnorm is more than just clothes - yes the collection has certain pieces which I loooove, but it's not just about the aesthetics. It's deeper. Haseena truly cares. DFYnorm as a brand truly cares. The collection is about strength and identity - celebrating the women who make smart choices and care about what they wear - these women are empowered and confident. 

You can read more about the brand in my interview (part of the #InspirationalWomen series) with the co-founder of the ethical fashion brand DFYnorm Haseena Latheef here. 

She hopes her brand will inspire women to be their true selves, to love themselves, to love others and in turn love the planet. 


Scratching beneath the surface of fashion 


That's the interesting thing - fashion can be just be very surface level for some, or it can be explored much deeper. Fashion can mean more, fashion can do more. Those in the industry (designers, suppliers, owners, buyers, consumers etc.) have a massive responsibility on their shoulders to behave responsibly, sustainably and ethically.  More and more consumers are aware (and care) about what they wear. And I care about what my clients wear too  clothing is more than just material, it has the ability to change lives - not just for the wearer, but all those involved in the process. Consumer consciousness can influence the industry and together we can all make a difference. 

Haseena Latheef chaired a panel talk about leading positive fashion trends.  She had her own story to tell post event - you can read her blog: My Pure London Saga, Panel on Positive Fashion and Winners Announced!

The panel talk was interesting and one thing that really sparked my interest was about the myths surrounding ethical fashion brands - that ethical fashion is ugly. The idea that we can now look good, feel good and do good is something that resonated with me. You'll see me using #LookGoodFeelGoodDoGood and #LookGoodFeelGoodLiveGreat a lot more across my social media posts from now on. 

I decided to find out more about ethical fashion and sustainable fashion and what that means for the consumer. I spent a lot of time looking at other brands and asking about their sourcing processes. I found a few new brands that peaked my interest. 

Coming up in my next few blogs:

  • I will be publishing a list of the ethical brands that I discovered at the Pure London show.
  • A review of the DFYnorm clothes I received will be going live.
  • I will also be introducing you to some of the inspiring women working in fashion that I have lined up for my #InspirationalWomen series. 


In the meantime don't forget to take advantage of the special DFYnorm discount code: 



























Until the next time...

Stay fabulous.

Roberta x 


DON'T MISS OUT ON FUTURE INTERVIEWS - SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER HERE: http://www.robertastylelee.co.uk/#!subscribe-to-the-newsletter/umwhr 

You can see more over on the website at www.robertastylelee.co.uk and other #RSLRecommended products and 
services all reviewed and tested by moi.



Thursday, 7 July 2016

Get inspired by DFYnorm - clothing for the empowered women


Women inspire me. Motivated, successful and confident women really inspire me. Real women with real stories are inspirational. Women that defy the norm and design products/deliver services that help women feel better about themselves or empower women - seriously inspire me! With so much talent and inspiration out there I thought I would start a new #inspirationalwomen series for my monthly newsletter. I decided to post a few teasers on the blog - starting with this one. I hope you enjoy reading it. If you want to catch the whole series SIGN UP HERE. 


An interview with the co-founder of DFYnorm the up and coming ethical fashion brand - 15 June 2016,  London


I met Haseena in a hotel bar not far from Oxford street. She is the co-founder of an up and coming ethical brand called DFYnorm who make high quality fashion items for the empowered woman. Haseena arrived looking casual but elegant wearing an aztec print jacket (which has it's own story!) over a black dress teamed with a tan satchel. We sat down at a table and ordered a bite to eat and some non-alcoholic drinks before the interview commenced. 


Here's a short 2-minute video which explains more about the brand and why I was so keen to know more about the inspirational women behind it:





Me: Thanks for meeting with me Haseena - so I'm excited to hear more about your story, tell me what motivated you to come up with the DYFnorm clothing brand? I love that you've dared to be different in your attitude towards fashion. 

H: Well it all started because my co-founder and I were fed up with the mainstream fashion industry and what it represented.

The clothes we wear not only communicate who we are but also have a huge impact on the world, socio-culturally as well as environmentally. There is so much throw away and waste. Garments are no longer investments. I’d rather be making clothes that are meaningful and connect people with their truth. Fashion can play a role in inspiring women on a journey of self-discovery.

Me: Empowering stuff! I love it. 

H: I believe in the Vivienne Westwood ideology about buying less but choosing well. If you are smart about your fashion, you will be able to buy pieces that are investment worthy and well-thought-out. My co-founder came up with a really interesting phrase- “Shop for a reason. Not a season.” It's why we created a brand that cared.

Me: I believe that ‘clothing’ is more than just functional material. It’s nice to hear such a passionate voice for more meaningful and ethical fashion.

H: I want my designs to appeal to powerful women, leaders and creators who are unafraid to defy the norm.

Me: That’s great! You sound like a brand that is pushing the boundaries and making ethical fashion elegant. 

H:  Thank you. It is, and we like to think we are. I like what you do too. Unlike most stylists, your approach with feeling good from the inside first feels more authentic and real - I’m sure many women will relate to that. 

Me: Thank you - I love what I do. Empowering people to look good, feel good and live a great life is so rewarding. I have to ask...what is the secret to your confidence? 

H:  My confidence? I never really think about it. I keep all my interactions very honest and personal. I wear my own brand a lot because I love what we’ve made - and it makes me feel good to wear great fitting, high quality clothes that are made with a real purpose. 

Me: What about exercise? I use fitness as a tool to keep me sane, happy and confident. What do you do to stay fit and healthy? 

H: I have to say yoga is my favourite form of exercise. When I work out 3 times a week, I feel like everything else falls into place - and I eat right automatically too.

Me: Exercise and food are two hugely important components of a happy healthy lifestyle - I always say 'fuel your ambition with good nutrition'. When my exercise and nutrition is on point my confidence skyrockets - I genuinely feel like I can take on the world! 

H: That’s so true. I know what you mean. 

Me: Well, I think that brings us to the end of our interview. Thanks for your time and I look forward supporting you on future projects! 

H: Yes – I am open to what the future holds. I like that we both have a lot of resonance with what we do. I look forward to seeing your ‘brutally honest’ review of the clothes I send you!


Me: I look forward to reviewing them!

I left the interview totally inspired by the vision that Haseena and her co-founder have for DFYnorm. It made me think about what other things I can do moving forward to support great women who are out there trying to make a difference.  So will you join me? Will you dare to defy the norm and do some good today? DFYnorm have made it super easy for you.... you can look good, feel good - and do good! Just visit their website to see the full collection at www.dfynorm.com and use take advantage of the special discount code below.


















    


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Stay fabulous ladies and whenever possible always try to stay informed! 

Roberta x

Notes: 


This interview was carried out by Roberta Style Lee as part of the Inspirational Women series. DFYNorm is a brand created by two inspiring women set to revolutionise fashion and what it stands for. 


DON'T MISS OUT ON FUTURE INTERVIEWS - SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER HERE: http://www.robertastylelee.co.uk/#!subscribe-to-the-newsletter/umwhr 

You can see more over on the website at www.robertastylelee.co.uk and other #RSLRecommended products and services all reviewed and tested by moi.